Shadow of Hope: Book 4 - Shadow Series
Page 12
Early the next morning a hand squeezing hers awakened her. She opened her eyes to see him gazing down at her.
“I’m sorry I missed dinner,” he said.
“Oh, Miles! You’re all right!” she squealed.
“They didn’t get the money. I stopped them,” he said proudly.
“Yeah, you stopped them with your shoulder,” she said. “Does it hurt much?”
“A bit. I also have a headache.”
“You hit the floor, hard, they said.”
“I didn’t get a kiss today,” he said. “That’s spousal neglect, you know.”
She sat up on her knees and kissed his lips. He tried to prolong the kiss but she pulled away. “You’re in no condition for that, Miles. You need to drink water. I’m off to get you some,” she said, sliding off the bed.
“I thought you brought all of your clothes here,” he said.
“I did, but I prefer to wear your shirt, so I feel closer to you,” she said with a smile.
She brought him fresh water, and he drank almost all of it. “I was parched,” he said.
“Julia and Caleb were here to see you, and Caleb said Mr. Lebold is stopping by to see you today.”
Miles nodded, and then grimaced. “Don’t forget our therapy. Let’s do it now, before Julia or Lebold come. Come here, Mrs. Croft.”
Violet sat on her knees beside him, still wearing his shirt. Miles reached up, and slipped his hand beneath the shirt, and touched her bare chest.
As he touched her, she gently stopped him, and cuddled up beside him. “As soon as you’re better we’ll try it again. Your touching is working—too well, I might add. I think if we leave the light on, the next time, I’ll be okay.”
“You do know it will hurt at first, so be prepared. I hate the thought of hurting you but there really is no other way, sweetheart.”
“I know, but if I can see you the whole time, I think I can do it.”
“Now you tell me!” He sighed. “I wish you’d have told me that on our wedding night, now we still have to wait.”
“It’ll be worth it, Miles,” she said seductively.
“I know it will,” he said, as he played with her hair. “Do you realize it’s been almost three years since I first fell in love with you, and dreamed of making you mine?”
“Impossible, only two and a half,” she said.
“No. I fell head over heels in love with you the first time you walked into the bank with your father.”
“Really?”
He raised his right hand slightly. “I swear.” Then he flinched, as that was his sore arm.
That afternoon, Mr. Lebold came in and praised Miles, but told him that next time he should let the bandits take the money, because a good manager like him would be hard to replace.
Julia and Caleb visited and they brought enough food with them to last for days.
Julia thanked God in her daily prayers that Miles was healing and had no head injury. She also asked him to bless their marriage and bless their consummation, when it occurred.
Chapter 15
Miles continued to heal. He was now able to move around the house freely, and the doctor said he'd be able to return to work in a week.
He continued the therapy with Violet and he felt she was ready—but was he?
Violet had made him a delicious dinner—she was a much better cook than Julia had been. He wished he could hire a staff of maids and a housekeeper for her, but even though he did get a substantial raise with his promotion, his bank account wasn’t anywhere near that of the Armstrongs. Violet, however, seemed to enjoy keeping house, and she did a great job of it. She must've picked it up from her mother who had always done her own housekeeping.
Violet had resigned from her teaching job in Salina through the mail.
Miles dried the dinner dishes, while Violet washed them. He leaned over and pecked her cheek. “Now this is what I’d always imagined married life would be like. I hope we always stay this happy.”
“Why, Miles, we’ll get happier as the years go by. We’ll have children, pets, and if we’re lucky,” she made a pout, “some intimacy.”
“I’m thinking we might try again tonight. What do you think?” he asked.
“What about your shoulder?” she asked.
“It hurts, but I can’t think of a better way to keep my mind off the pain.” He threw down his dishtowel grabbed her, and pulled her close to him. “Right now,” he said. “Spontaneity, is the key.” He winked.
“But my hands are wet and soapy!”
“Ah, I bet that will feel good when you rub your hands on my chest!” He winked.
Miles didn’t have to light a lamp because it was still light out, and she'd be able to see him clearly. He laid her on the bed and slid down beside her.
“Okay,” he said. “You start it and I’ll finish it.”
“What?” she asked.
“Start touching me. I think it will help if you're the aggressor.”
She started by rubbing his chest as he’d been rubbing hers. He slowly joined in, maintaining eye contact all the while.
“It’s working, Miles,” she said. “I think you can take over now,”
Afterward, they lay side by side, on their backs.
“Have I told you that I couldn’t possibly love you any more than I do right now? That was well worth the wait. God has truly blessed our union, sweetheart,” Miles said.
“I need you to hold me, tighter afterwards, Miles,” she whispered.
Miles pulled her over on top of him because he couldn’t lay sideways with his shoulder, and squeezed her tightly.
“It didn’t hurt much, Miles. I was expecting worse, and you were most patient and gentle. What did I ever do to deserve you? And to think I almost lost you…” her words broke off in tears.
“Don’t cry, we’re together now, and that’s all that matters. We’ll be together forever. Nothing can ever come between us now,” he said. “I’m the happiest man alive.”
THE END
Other books by Barbara Goss:
Forbidden Legacy
Silent Love
Captured Heart
The Final Vow
Stolen Heritage
The Kissing Bridge
Dangerous Illusions
Drawn from Darkness
The Romantic Ruse
Temptation by Moonlight
The Shadow Series: Shadow of Shame, Shadow of Deceit, and Shadow of Regret, and Shadow of Hope.
Soon to be released: Shadow of Love, book 5th and final book of the Shadow series released in July 2016
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Temptation by Moonlight: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZM5AO0E
Drawn from Darkness: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X32A7GY
Captured Heart: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SQAUU9M
The Romantic Ruse: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0157TE6F8
Silent Love: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U3881BE
Dangerous Illusions: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TMYVA72
Stolen Heritage: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T8QJKUS
The Final Vow: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UXQO3Q8
Forbidden Legacy: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SENBQB2
The Kissing Bridge: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W5YACOI
NEW SERIES:
Shadow of Shame: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DR8929G
Shadow of Deceit: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FOPE3RG
Shadow of Regret: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FRJTBH6
Shadow of Hope
Shadow of Love